Morocco Peace Corps Volunteer Skyecares writes: “Reasons You Know It Is Time To Move Out Of Your Host Family’s House”



"You now automatically reply “sbitar” to the incessant questioning regarding your destination, forgetting that it looks rather dubious that you would be leaving for the sbitar on a Saturday morning with a sleeping bag and sunglasses."

Morocco Peace Corps Volunteer Skyecares writes: “Reasons You Know It Is Time To Move Out Of Your Host Family’s House”

It’s The Little Things…

posted by SkyeJ on 06.29.06 @ 10:58 am | 2 Comments

[Excerpt]

Reading lists of the “Reasons You Know It Is Time To Move Out Of Your Host Family’s House” This list was composed by Karen Rupprecht, a fellow PCV whom I love dearly.

1. You’ve named the scorpions and cockroaches in your bedroom and even started thinking of them as friends.

2. You now automatically reply “sbitar” to the incessant questioning regarding your destination, forgetting that it looks rather dubious that you would be leaving for the sbitar on a Saturday morning with a sleeping bag and sunglasses.

3. To put an end to the ubiquitous game of 20 questions that begin with “What are you doing?” you’ve composed a war chest of silencing responses: “Going to deal drugs to children.” “Having an illicit affair with the neighbor.” “Reporting to my boss at the CIA.”

4. You’ve begun thinking of the bit lma (bathroom) as a place of refuge and solace (or, to quote the esteemed Aaron Grant, “my happy place”).

5. The furry goat’s head hanging out on the kitchen counter doesn’t strike you as at all out of the ordinary, but hearing the occasional English-language news broadcast makes you feel like the world has been flipped upside down.

6. To attempt to make sense of the otherwise unintelligible conversations going on around you, you have created, in your mind, a Berber soap opera of your very own using your family members as the cast.

7. Your “bedtime” is mysteriously growing earlier and earlier, to the point that afternoon tea time now triggers a yawn, stretch, and muttering about how late it is.

8. You compose a top ten list of signs it’s time to leave the host family.

Links to Related Topics (Tags):

Headlines: June, 2006; COS - Morocco; Blogs - Morocco; Humor

When this story was posted in November 2006, this was on the front page of PCOL:




Peace Corps Online The Independent News Forum serving Returned Peace Corps Volunteers

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Ron Tschetter in Morocco and Jordan On his first official trip since being confirmed as Peace Corps Director, Ron Tschetter (shown at left with PCV Tia Tucker) is on a ten day trip to Morocco and Jordan. Traveling with his wife (Both are RPCVs.), Tschetter met with volunteers in Morocco working in environment, youth development, health, and small business development. He began his trip to Jordan by meeting with His Majesty King Abdullah II and Her Majesty Queen Rania Al Abdullah and discussed expanding the program there in the near future.

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The Peace Corps Library The Peace Corps Library is now available online with over 40,000 index entries in 500 categories. Looking for a Returned Volunteer? Check our RPCV Directory or leave a message on our Bulletin Board. New: Sign up to receive our free Monthly Magazine by email, research the History of the Peace Corps, or sign up for a daily news summary of Peace Corps stories. FAQ: Visit our FAQ for more information about PCOL.

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